Extension Regional Ag Update

October 2023

Are you ready to haul cattle?

This article was originally published in the Wisconsin Agriculturist.

The frequency of hauling cattle varies from farm to farm. Some farms haul on a regular basis and others only a few times a year. In either situation, breaking down alongside the road — or even worse, in a traffic crash — while hauling cattle is not on anyone’s bucket list. Making time to inspect and maintain the truck and trailer prior to hauling will help reduce the risk of breakdowns and traffic accidents due to vehicle malfunctions. Being prepared results in lower stress for both humans and cattle.

Quick Tips: Preparing to Transport Cattle

Know and follow your truck’s tow rating
Check tires, hitches, wiring, trailer brakes, and lights
Carry a heavy-duty jack, spare tires for both truck and trailer, and store them where accessible when the trailer is loaded
Know your trailer’s capacity and do not over crowd cattle
Make sure all animals are standing before heading out
Secure doors by two methods before leavin
* Use safety chains instead of padlocking door
* Padlocks restrict access in case of an emergency

Our “T3” (Is your Truck and Trailer ready to Transport?) checklist is available for download here.

Fall 2023 Beginning Shepherd and Goat Producer Workshop

Flocking Together A Beginning Shepherd and Goat Producer Workshop

The Flocking Together Workshop is intended for beginning sheep and goat producers. The workshop will immerse participants in learning about nutrition, pasture and parasite management, recordkeeping, reproduction, budgets, and herd health management plans. Participants will learn from UW-Madison Extension staff Todd Taylor, Carolyn Ihde, and Lyssa Seefeldt; Iowa State University Animal Science Lecturer Ann Kolthoff; and Executive Director of the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) Rusty Burgett. Presenters will engage participants through lectures, discussions, hands-on activities, personalized planning, and live demonstrations. There will even be a lamb cook-out with Cody Hiemke!

Participants are encouraged to bring a digital device such as laptop or tablet and current flock records for a chance to get expert assistance in creating management plans and budgets.

The content and method of instructional delivery are geared toward adults; older youth (14+) are welcome. A registration fee will be charged for each participant.

Contact information:

Todd Taylor - todd.taylor@wisc.edu 608.846.5858

Carolyn Ihde - c arolyn.ihde@wisc.edu 608.326.0223

Lyssa Seefeldt - lyssa.seefeldt@wisc.edu 715.839.4712

Grant writing workshop for farmers

Are you interested in trying out a new idea on your farm? Have you thought about applying for a grant but weren’t sure where to start?

On Tuesday, October 17th and Thursday, October 19th UW-Madison Division of Extension will host webinars to introduce farmers and agricultural professionals to grant opportunities in agriculture. Both webinars will start at 11:30 am and run one hour, with an additional half hour at the end for questions.

The Tuesday webinar will feature Michael Fields Agricultural Institute grants expert Margaret Krome, who will cover how to design a good grant project and where to look for potential funding sources, as well as the basics of writing a grant proposal. The Thursday webinar will provide a brief overview of the main grant programs for farmers and food entrepreneurs. Programs covered will include USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Farmer-Rancher grants and Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG); and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture’s Buy Local Buy Wisconsin and Producer-Led Watershed Protection grants, as well as a number of new grant programs to support local food production and food security.

Pre-registration Required

Wisconsin Women in Agriculture Conference

The Annual Wisconsin Women in Agriculture conference provides research-based and practical educational opportunities for all women interested in any aspect of agriculture. The conference features speakers involved in agriculture, evening entertainment, and opportunities for networking with other agriculture organizations, sponsors, and other participants.

Learn More & Register

December 7-8th, 2023:

Wisconsin Water and Soil Health Conference

We are excited to announce that on December 7 and 8th 2023 a new event, the Wisconsin Water and Soil Health Conference (WWASH) will take place. The WWASH conference is building upon the legacies of two pivotal events, the Wisconsin Cover Crop Conference and the Discovery Farms Conference.

Ten years ago, the topics of cover crops and soil health seemed experimental and our understanding of the impact on water quality was not very clear. Today, these topics are brought together because implementing practices that support Wisconsin’s natural resources is complex and challenging. Both conferences have been successful and growing for the last ten years, attracting innovators and leaders. Joining these conferences allows us to present a conference with more keynotes and a wider range of featured topics in breakout sessions to an integrated audience of farmers, crop consultants, natural resources professionals, agency staff and other interested stakeholders. Attendees will experience thought provoking discussions and walk away with a better understanding of the intersections of agronomy, water and soil health. This inaugural event will be held at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells.

Registration is set to open in September. Questions about the event should be directed to Chelsea Zegler (zegler@wisc.edu) or Dan Smith (dhsmith@wisc.edu)

For More Information

Dairy Workers Training Courses

Many dairy farms hire employees to care for their animals and to manage farm operations.

These employees must possess the expertise required to proficiently handle the diverse tasks inherent in dairy operations. However, a significant number of these workers lack adequate training or experience in this domain.

Addressing this crucial need, the UW-Madison Division of Extension Dairy Program built the "Dairy Workers Training Modules." These modules were specifically tailored to equip dairy workers with the essential skills for optimizing their performance on the farm. Presently, two modules have been successfully developed: "Milking Skills" and "Reproductive Skills," both of which aim to enhance and refine the capabilities of dairy workers.

The Dairy Workers Training Modules are free to access and available online on-demand. Workers can access the modules when most convenient for them and select individual sections in any order. Being available on-demand makes the Dairy Workers Training Modules a valuable onboarding tool for employees new to your farm. The modules contain video recordings, interactive knowledge checks, and additional factsheets and videos related to each topic.

In the Milking Skills course, content is divided into Milking Preparation and Mastitis Prevention modules. In the Reproductive Skill course, participants can select from modules on Anatomy and Physiology, Managing Bulls, Cow Synchronization, Heifer Synchronization, Heifer Reproductive Management, Heat Stress, Heat Detection and Heat Detection Aids, Pregnancy Detection, and Synchronization Compliance.

Access current worker modules and be sure to watch for future modules to be shared.

Access Current Workers Modules

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